Punk Rock Summer of 88

Yesterday, I took a drive early evening with the windows down and music up. It was such a beautiful night; warm air with all the wonderful smells of summer combining into a swirl of memories for me. Isn’t it funny how scents have the power to transport you to another time?

I drove to the spot I used to go and sit alone, and sometimes with you, to think and be at peace. I parked my car and made my way to the steps. I sat and watched the sun go down in a miraculous show of glowing colors over the tree tops. The noises of the area silenced for a few short moments and I closed my eyes to breathe in the moment.

I could swear I felt your presence there with me in those moments.

I pulled out my phone, which I had purposely put on silence, opened YouTube, called up my Summer of 88 playlist and hit shuffle. It’s funny how your two favorite songs ended up at the top of the list. I smiled, remembering the talks about everything and nothing we shared there as two lost innocent teenagers.

We both wore our disguises of confidence and strength well in public, but we saw through each other. I looked up to and admired you. Your aura was so much bigger than life itself. I was drawn in.

I don’t think I shared so much with another before and since you. I can only wonder if you learned as much from me as I did you, my friend. I miss you.

The summer of 88 was one of the best summers I ever had. It was a time of growth, innocence, love and most of all, freedom. I started coming out of my shell, yet still maintained my wall of isolation from the world. I made a lot of mix tapes that summer. The following mix tape playlist was made up from notes I found in one of my old journals, and from memory, of the songs I listened to a lot of that glorious and amazing summer.

What was your favorite summer growing up? What would be on your playlist?